COMMUNITY SERVICE

Hillyard VFW Post 1474 Community Service

Hillyard VFW Post and Auxiliary1474 and our members and volunteers provide many services to our communities.

Hillyard VFW Post and Auxiliary 1474 in Spokane, WA, provides significant community service through programs like a free community food pantry and food service, support for youth (including Boys and Girls Scouts), community art initiatives, the annual Hillyard Festival, and by fundraising for veteran support and disaster relief through the VFW Foundation VFW Post 1474 Special Projects. Our Post and Auxiliary also offers Veteran Outreach, PTSD support, and assists with various community functions and events and Community Service Initiatives.

Food Pantry: We operate a free community food pantry and food service programs to help those in need.

Youth Programs: We Sponsor, Host and Support youth groups like the Boys and Girls Scouts. We support local schools and their Athletics, Music, Arts, Educational, Americanism, Camps and R.O.T.C. Programs. We offer Youth Scholarships and essay contests for Grades 3-12 and hold awards ceremonies for them. We go to schools and educate about Veterans Advocacy and other Veteran centered and Patriotic issues. We Host free Youth and Family parties throughout the year. We honor and recognize our outstanding teachers and hold awards ceremonies for them.

Community Events: We Sponsor community art programs like the annual ChalkArtWalk and the annual Hillyard Festival and HiJinx Parade And we recently opened a Community Event Center. Our members volunteer working many community events assuring their success.

Veteran Outreach: We Provide direct support and outreach and wellness checks to veterans and their families, including those affected by PTSD, homeless, hungry, unemployed, hospitalized, disabled and in need of emergency assistance.

Troop Support: We support our troops around the world through care packages, letters, family support and participation in the "Adopt A Unit" Program.

First Responders: We have programs that support and provide assistance to our local First Responders (Police, Firefighters, EMT's and Explosive Ordinance Techs) and their families. We recognize and honor our Outstanding First Responders and hold awards ceremonies for them.

Partnerships: We provide support for other Organizations and Host Fundraisers.

We assist and support Partner Service Providers and Veteran/Military Organizations and Nonprofits.

VFW Foundation VFW Post 1474 Special Projects: We Fundraise for the VFW Foundation and our Special Projects, a non-profit 501(c)3 charity that supports Veterans and their Families, Active-Duty Military and Reserves, First Responders, and our local Communities and Families.

Resources: We provide a vast and well-established network of resources that are easily accessible to veterans and community members.

Safety Programs: We have programs focused on safety in our community like highway, pedestrian, recreational, home/fire safety, disaster preparedness, gun safety, and drug awareness.

Flag Etiquette: We teach proper flag etiquette and respect. We have official "Flag Retirement Ceremonies", and are an Official Flag Retirement Drop Off Location. We give flags to schools and community organizations to display.

Blood Donations: Our members are encouraged to give blood. Many of our members actively and frequently give blood at local Community Blood Banks.

Citizenship: We teach about good citizenship and have regular Voter Registration Drives. We host public speakers from many organizations and local politicians to speak to the community about relevant and current issues.

Reaching out into our communities is vital to our organization, developing relationships with community leaders, media, school faculty and local civic groups can greatly assist o

us in achieving the VFW mission.

Local Initiatives

We understand first-hand the essence of rallying community support and the positive, life-changing impact we have on the world around us. That's why VFW members volunteer more than 5 million hours to community service projects annually, with volunteerism benefiting morale, education, the environment, health sciences and civic projects.

*Important Information and Resources for Members:

**Please report your community service and turn them in to Paul, pmanly@icehouse.net, Karen, kdflynn@nwi.net or Jake, vfw1474.projectmanager@gmail.com or leave the completed Form with the staff on duty at the Post.

VFW Annual Day Of Service

Printable Community Service Report Forms

Community Service Report Guidelines

Community Service Awards

Unmet Needs Application

Award Nomination Forms:

Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

Outstanding Contributor (Non-Member)